Kuchar, Manassero to play World Cup

Golf's World Cup tournament in Melbourne has secured it's first international stars with Matt Kuchar, Matteo Manassero and Thongchai Jaidee set to play.

World No.6 US golfer Matt Kuchar

World No.6 Matt Kuchar has committed to playing the revamped World Cup tournament in Melbourne. (AAP)

World No.6 Matt Kuchar, Italian prodigy Matteo Manassero and veteran Thai star Thongchai Jaidee are the first international golfers to commit to playing the revamped World Cup tournament at Royal Melbourne.

Organisers announced their intention to represent their countries as tickets went on sale for the November 18-24 event.

Kuchar, who won the WGC-Matchplay and Memorial tournaments this year, will be defending the World Cup title he won for the United States when playing alongside Gary Woodland at the Mission Hills Resort in China in 2011.

Since the start of the 2010 season, Kuchar has 36 top-10 finishes on the US Tour, more than any other player over that period.

"Representing my country is a real honour whether in The Ryder Cup, The Presidents Cup or the World Cup," said Kuchar in a World Cup statement.

"I am looking forward to defending at Royal Melbourne."

World No.28 Manassero will aim to take the trophy back to Italy after brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari won the event in 2009.

Yet to turn 21, Manassero has four career European Tour victories and is fifth in that tour's season standings.

In 2010, he became the youngest winner in European Tour history with victory in the 2010 Castello Masters aged 17 years and 188 days.

"I'm genuinely excited about playing in the World Cup, and can't wait to make my debut at Royal Melbourne," said Manassero.

It's not often that you get the chance to play for your country as well as yourself, so I really want to play well and help make it a great week for Italy.

"When Edoardo and Francesco won in 2009 it was huge news in Italy, so hopefully I can help bring the trophy back home again."

The veteran Jaidee is the only man to win three Asian Tour Order of Merit titles.

"I always enjoy playing in the World Cup, it's a great tournament and obviously a little bit different from the events we usually play," Jaidee said. "You want to do well when you are playing for your country, so I will give it my best shot."


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world